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| History of Cambria County, V.3 |
| HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. | 9 | |
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the same disease a second and a third time, last in May, 1888. His strong constitution and habitually temperate life enabled him to recover in each instance, although his strength was visibly impaired by each succeeding attack. When apparently recovering from his last attack he was stricken with paralysis, and, although his life was then despaired of, he conquered through his indomitable will, and recovered subsequent strength to leave his bed and go about as usual. About two months before his death he experienced symptoms of heart failure, and the sad end came September 27, 1888, being directly due to acute inflammation of the brain. A summing up of his character reveals General Campbell as a unique figure. Under a plain and unassuming exterior he concealed ability of a high order, and a rare degree of manly virtue, unselfishness and a sincere regard for the welfare of others, even before his own personal interests, being among his most striking characteristics. His traits of character were feelingly dwelt upon by his neighbors, all of whom felt in his death a keen sense of personal loss. "As a soldier," said one who way familiar with his entire career, through close association, "he was brave and noble, and his heroism was never questioned." As a state official he was above suspicion, and although he instituted many important reforms which met with strenuous opposition, no one, even in midst of the intensest political excitement, ever impeached his integrity. As a national legislator he was untiring in his work and a faithful agent of his constituents, never failing to discharge a duty exacted of him, not even neglecting to write a letter asking for information. His personal life in midst of his friends and in his home was beautiful. He treated the youngest of his children with the same manly and gentle consideration that he extended to the most revered of his fellows, while the strength of affection for her who so nobly shared his trials and sacrifices, who held night vigil for him during the long years when his life was in constant jeopardy during the dreary marches, the long night watches, and the field of carnage, who participated and joyed in the triumphs and honors of his later years, was one of the loveliest traits of his noble character. His was a life's work well done; his is a name historical in the annals of the state, a record of duty conscientiously discharged in every walk of life. On April 29, 1847, General Campbell was married to Mary Rankin Campbell, who was born May 13, 1827, in Pittsburg, about on the site of the present court house, came, like himself, from a Scotch ancestry, and doubtless from the same family, one of the most distinguished in all Scotland. Her parents, James and Mary (Wylie) Campbell, came from Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, where they were married in 1786, sailing for the United States the next day. After a short stay in the city of New York, then a village to what it is now, they drove in a "prairie schooner, over the mountains through Pennsylvania to Pittsburg and thence to Allegheny, where the young husband engaged in iron manufacturing, where he lived a successful life, and where he died. His widow died in 1869 in Johnstown, at the Campbell homestead on Walnut street. This old brick edifice is one of the historic structures of the city. The first sewing machine ever brought to Johnstown was to be seen there, a rare curiosity of its time. From its peak was unfurled in 1861 the first flag in the city to notify the people that war was on, and that the nation called its sons to its support. Perhaps no other building in Pennsylvania, the executive mansion excepted, has sheltered as many governors of the commonwealth. During the memor- |
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